Graffito

A woman in the Gents under the Kingsland at half time a couple of seasons ago.

Beaten by a better side. Disciplined performance by City. Lost in midfield. Look at the spine of their team compared to ours, goalkeepers excepted. As others have said, disappointing we didn't take it to them more but they were tough opponents. Not three goals better but deserved the win.

Puel gets a mention in a BBC article about the future of the much maligned Checkatrade Trophy: Shaun Harvey (EFL) on the problem of developing young players: "It is a concern there is great talent in this country that is not getting an opportunity to experience senior football as early as a lot of clubs would want. "Let's be under no illusions. The EFL Trophy, on its own, is not the answer. But I certainly think it is a big part. What goes alongside it is a manager like Claude Puel at Southampton, who rather than play players out of position, has chosen to give young players a chance, having seen them come through, not just in the academy but also in a real game situation, where winning does matter." Elsewhere the article notes that Jack Stevens started Saints first match in the Checkatrade and finished up playing in the EFL cup final.

I disagree with you, from which you infer that I'm unable to be objective. You've lost me on that one. Look, you may be right, technically, I haven't had the benefit of replays so can't be certain, but even if Long wasn't quite ready, wouldn't it have been in the interests of fairness and the spirit of the game, to allow a few seconds for him to come on? Anyway, it's all a bit futile. The points are lost and I would prefer to look forward to slagging off next week's muppet. Let's just agree to differ.

There was no benefit to Saints dragging out the substitution and every reason to have Long replace Gabbiadini immediately, for the very reason that materialised, a goal conceded. I was at the match and my recollection ties in with what others who appear to have watched on tv have said; for some inexplicable reason the officials resumed play even although Long was ready to come on. Your mental gymnastics in trying to defend the officials is quite entertaining though.

I have to remind myself sometimes that some posters on this form may be of school age. Sadly, I think Larry isn't one of them. Larry12 may not, in fact, be 12.

No doubt. Having said that, his form has dipped alarmingly. I saw only last night's highlights but his defending against Leicester was hilariously bad. He was jumping around like a jack in the box. It was like he didn't know where he was supposed to stand.

Agree. In a misguided attempt to generate atmosphere they kill it. The problem I have with the PA system is more its clarity than its volume though the volume is a problem when they play crap over it.

I was very surprised it wasn't highlighted, analysed or even commented on by MoTD. They generally make a big issue of such incidents. Surely Lineker has no editorial influence? Must admit I didn't see the stamp in real time and I was more or less in line with it. Nevertheless, it was there to see on replays.

The elbow was clearly deliberate and probably, as you say, premeditated. I think it's impossible to say whether the stamp on the head was either deliberate or premeditated and I don't know how the FA could be so certain. Even if the FA were clear that the Mings "offence" was deliberate, how would they account for the difference in punishments. Who can say it's favouritism or just a poor decision. Given Bournemouth's position in the league I can see why they are so annoyed with the decision. It could cost them dearly.

Since you were a referee Whitey, I was inclined to defer to your greater knowledge of the laws. Is this the relevant law? Law 15: "have part of each foot on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline"

Puel is supporting Stephens as Guardiola supports Stones. Stephens is comfortable on the ball which is a big plus for the way we play. The raw material is there. The rest will come with coaching and experience.

Thought we played really well. Loved the second goal. To say the scoreline flattered Watford would be an understatement. They are a limited team of lumoxes who play very basic football imo. Chalk and cheese with Saints. By the way, they're first goal shouldn't have stood. The bloke taking the throw in, might have been the skate, had almost his whole foot over the line.

"Hopefully he can become cleverer with his movement, he is going to be some player." He could learn a lot about movement from Gabbiadini.

You're making a fool of yourself but carry on...

Give it a rest for fuc.ks sake.

Scholes suggesting the injury is 10 days and so thought Sunday would be too soon. Even if it's just a tight hamstring he might not be risked. Here's hoping anyway. St Etienne have been rubbish. Hope the manager's told them to get stuck in.

8m people in London. 7000 pubs. You don't need to be south of the river to avoid meeting people who might embarrass you.

I'm gonna give one of them a Chinese burn if they're nasty.

It's something to do Lyon and St Etienne both being drawn to play at home second leg and Lyon having first choice (Thursday) or something. Works to Utd's benefit unfortunately.

I trust you are not referring to my earlier post. I couldn't be more pleased, for the reason I mentioned. It's ironic though, that for all the complaints about away attendance not having been recognised, it was possible in the end to pick up good quality tickets in the very last category, 3 aways. All things considered, the club has done a good job.

Don't know but my brother has just secured a better seat than I bought as a season ticket holder. It pays to go away I guess. Pleased that he's got one. We've been to every final since 76.

Nice one. Pleased for you.

Yes Kingsbury. Although Wembley is maybe 20 minutes from my house on a good day on the North Circular, Cup Final day obviously isn't a good day. In the days when I was lucky enough to get Cup Final tickets, I used to drive to Kingsbury, one stop north of Wembley Park on the Jubilee Line. There is a pay and display behind the shops on the Main Street, maybe 50 yds from the tube station. If you are prepared to walk a bit you'll probably get free parking in the residential streets.

You can't separate the recruitment from the decision to allow Fonte to go without a replacement having been secured. LS has a good record but retreiving the CB situation looks like Houdini management to me.